Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Well, Seth and I and Jillian had QUITE the eventful week last week. As I mentioned before, Jillian got sick the night before we went into the hospital. I stayed up pretty much all night with her and just worrying about her and how she would do without me...and pretty much on edge as to how this whole crazy week was going to go. I am a big planner and this was totally out of my control! Seth's parents were here to take care of her and I had no doubt they would do a great job!!! Still, I hated the thought of being away from my baby when she was sick! Well, it turns out that she got the Rotavirus and was running a fever all week long. And, yes, that means that she was not able to come to the hospital and meet her new baby sister or see her mommy (who missed her VERY much!!!). The Patterson's did bring her up for the birth, but she was gone before I got the chance to see her. We also obviously did NOT want her near the baby! Whew...what a time we had!!!

Now...onto the birth. We got to the hospital at 7:30 that morning and I got prepped for the surgery. Our family and friends seem to travel in packs when we have births, surgeries, etc...and this morning was no different. We had a waiting room full of our friends and family...which made the anticipation of the surgery much better. They took me back about 9:30 to get the show on the road. When I had Jillian, they had a really hard time getting my spinal in, and so I dreaded it big time for this birth. It ended up going in very easily and the whole c-section went EXTREMELY well! Seth and my doc kept joking that me and my anesthesiologist were going to be best friends and start hanging out. I love her!!! Finally, at 10:02 am, our baby Jules was born into this world! She was 7 pounds and 6 ounces and 18 3/4 inches long. The craziest thing was that she had a head full of bleach blonde hair...it is all anyone kept talking about. The nurses and my doctor were all shocked to see that much blonde hair on a newborn. But, if anyone was going to have a blonde baby, I guess it would have to be Seth and Me!

We spent four days in the hospital, and Seth and I really enjoyed getting to know our precious baby. She was so good the whole time! She slept all the time and never fussed. All the nurses that would take her into the nursery for her vitals told us that she never wanted to be put down! They would end up taking turns holding her the whole time because they thought she was so cute! (Looks like we will have a nice little habit to break sometime soon!)

Seth played the role of SuperDAD the whole week. He really stepped up to the plate and I was so proud of him and his love for our family. He went home every day to see Jillian and assure her that we didn't just fall off the face of the Earth! He also went home every night to put her to sleep and do her nightly routine. In between that, he was at the hospital waiting on me...getting me drinks, snacks, changing all the diapers, recording all the feedings and dirty diapers...etc! It was really nice to feel so taken care of! I felt really lucky to have him there going through this week with me!

We came home on Friday after my pediatrician assured me that Jillian was fine and the baby was more immune than she would ever be from me nursing her. I was SOOOOOO ready to see Jillian and for her to meet Jules. Jillian was officially the last person on Earth to meet her sister!!

So, now we are home and adjusting fairly well to life with two little girls! I will post later on our first week home!

A MAJOR thanks to B-Pa and CC for taking care of Jillian all week long. They made sure she was hydrated by dropping pedialyte into her mouth and did everything possible to make her comfortable! Seth and I do not know what we would have done if they hadn't totally taken care of her all week long! My first view of that hair. Seth kept bringing pictures back to the recovery room so that I could see her.

Our sweet baby girl taking it all in...

Our first picture together on the operating table.

The princess in her going-home outfit

Sweet girl. She is wearing her dress that Mimi specially made for her to wear home. Mimi also knitted the blanket that she is laying on. What a special gift that Jules will cherish forever.Blonde baby

Sweet Baby

Jules' first car ride home

Jules enjoying her first evening at her new house

Jillian (who looks a little rough after being sick and not eating for 5 days) is staring at her baby sister. She was very interested in this new pet that we got!

I have TONS of pictures and I will post more tomorrow. I really just want to get this post done so that I can all move on with the rest of my life! :) Kidding...but will post more sister pictures tomorrow.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Hi. I am the aunt (Summer) posting for Brittney today. This morning, Jules Avery Patterson was born. She weighed in at 7lbs. 6oz. and was 18 1/2 inches long. She has a lot of hair, and it is really light blonde. I have never seen a baby with so much hair that is blonde at birth. In my personal opinion, she is a spitting image of her father. But, babies can change their look in an instant, so only time will tell who this beauty queen will look like...

Here is Brittney on her way to the operating room...Jillian, the big sister-to-be, is waiting patiently. Poor Jilly. She was up sick through half the night. But, she was still a good sport waiting for her new baby sister to arrive!Seth, the proud dad, and his new baby girl!I just couldn't help myself. I love this picture of B and Jules! Can you believe that baby's hair?This was the best picture I could find of Jules with her eyes open. I am sure the noise level her cousins brought into the room kept her wide awake!I am sure B will have many more pictures and stories to share. But, this post will hopefully wet your appetite...

Well, it is 5:15 and I am getting ready for the hospital...we will leave here at about 7:00 or so. I just wanted to write on here and say that pretty much my worst nightmare came true last night because Jillian started throwing up at dinner! Then I bathed her and got her all cleaned up and she started "it" from the other end too! Poor baby, she was so scared and embarrassed and it was AWFUL! Anyways, I was freaking out thinking that I will be in the hospital and she will be without me and sick at the same time. Of course her grandparents will take great care of her...but I would just HATE not being with her when she is sick. And, I am almost 40 weeks...I can't really delay the c-section any farther out...trust me, I asked Seth! Anyway, she threw up again at 9:30 and again at 11:30...and thank goodness that has been all. She got us up around 12:45, but started playing when we went into her room, so that has my HOPING that she is over the sickness. I could not help but just watch her in the monitor forever to make sure she was okay...we are talking NO SLEEP here people!! I say all this to say please say a little prayer that Jillian will be better! I want her to be able to come to the hospital and meet her new best friend and baby sister!!!! (And of course, selfishly, I want to see her...I will miss her way too much!)

Thursday, April 17, 2008

I just found this picture of Seth and Me from when we first got together 7 years ago! I have always loved this picture and now it is even more special to me. We just look so young and carefree and now we are about to have our second daughter together! Time REALLY goes by so fast! I remember this time period like it was just yesterday!!!

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Jillian has a SERIOUS sweet tooth. She could and would survive on fruit and sugar alone if I just let her! I fully intended to be one of those moms who didn't let their kid have cookies until they were like teenagers or whatever...but come on! Everyone deserves a little treat now and then! And...if you could just here the way that Jillian says, "Cookie, Pwease!" then you would also cave and give her one! So, here she is the other night after dinner when she is eating her cookie! SO GROSS! I always wonder how chocolate can completely multiply by 1000 in a child's mouth!

Jillian doing her best Cindy Crawford impersonation!

She HATES HATES HATES having her hands dirty! She immediately wants me to clean them no matter what...even if she isn't done eating the messy item! Such a girl!

All done...or in Jillian's language..."Ga Gone"

And here she is after we hosed her down and scrubbed that chocolate off!

By the way...Baby #2 will be here in 5 days, if you don't count today...which I NEVER do!

Monday, April 7, 2008

On Saturday, Seth and I took Jillian to feed the ducks for the first time. She loves ducks...can quack like a duck and flap her wings like a duck, too. Impressive, I know! So, we thought she would really enjoy seeing some close up. When we first got there, though, she was really hesitant to get too close. I had to finally pick her up against her will, but as soon as she saw me throw some bread for them, she was all into it. She would get so close to the water and kept trying to pick up the bread we had already thrown to throw again! She even tried to sneak a few bites of the stale bread. Here are some pictures from our day with the ducks...

Jillian enjoying the ducks from a safe distance

The little girl in action...the ducks kept their distance from us even though we had food! Snobby ducks!

I love piggy tails

Jillian showing the ducks that she too can flap her wings and quack

Jillian, the duck

Daddy trying to show Jillian to throw the bread

Now she is getting the hang of it!

Hi Mom!

Jilly trying to sneak some bread for herself

After we walked away, the ducks "flocked" to where we had been for the food! I guess the 22-month old and the annoying Pug were enough to keep them away despite the free-flowing old bread we were providing.

Jillian running away on the dock

My three favorite people...Daddy, Jilly, and Tyson the annoying Pug. Notice how far back I am...that is because I am like 15 months pregnant and SOOOOOOO ready to get this baby here!

Jillian spots a turtle

The only face shot I could get...

Jillian found a ball to throw to Tyson. It has become Tyson's favorite toy.

Saturday, April 5, 2008

I went to the doctor on Wednesday for my last sonogram...quite possibly THE LAST ONE I will ever have! That is hard to believe! Anyway, Baby #2 is weighing in at 5 pounds and 11 ounces. Usually at this point, the babies will gain an average of 1/2 a pound a week until birth. That puts Baby 2 at right around 7 1/2 pounds. Jillian was 7 pounds and 9 ounces, so my girls quite possible could start out the same! I added a poll to the side of my blog just for fun, so vote on what you think the weight will be. I am scheduled for my c-section the morning of April 22nd...that is 2 weeks and 2 days away! I can hardly believe it...it really is getting so close now. I have mine and the babies bags packed, the room ready, and most arrangements already made...so I guess now, we just ride it out! That is really all the news that I have. I have no pictures...which makes this post EXTRA boring...but we did go to the duck pond today and I will post those pictures tomorrow!

Please say a prayer for Baby Ethan's family. He died this morning after a REALLY long battle with leukemia...and he was only 16 months old. This story really breaks my heart!

Seth and I met during our Junior year at HardingUniversity and we became the best of friends before we actually started dating in 2001. We got engaged right after we graduated and were married on June 7, 2003. During these really fun and crazy years of marriage, we have been blessed with two precious daughters and one crazy Pug! We sure don't get out much anymore with having two small girls at home, but we really wouldn't have it any other way!!! We have a great time just being together as a family! Our little family of five is such a blessing to me and I look forward to all of the fun times that are sure to happen in our future!

Jillian Jane was born on June 22, 2006. She is our smart, energetic, dramatic, opinionated, and precious girl. She loves to play dress up, play with her Barbies, do any kind of artwork, and tell her little sister what to do. Her newest obsession is Paisley. Jillian wants to hold her ALL of the time and kiss on her little baby sister. She is slightly obsessed with anything Princess or girly and she loves taking gymnastics. Jillian is very into fashion and she always wants to make sure that everyone notices her outfit, bow, or fingernails. God truly blessed us when he gave us our sweet Jillian.

Jules Avery was born on April 22, 2008. She is a little firecracker that has everyone from her parents to her grandparents to her aunts & uncles to her teachers wrapped around her little finger! Jules is so full of happiness, and we truly enjoy watching her life and anticipating what she will say and do next. Jules’ favorite thing to do is color and she LOVES to copy every single thing that her big sister does and says. God has really blessed our lives with this precious girl.

Paisley Kate was born on February 24, 2011. She is just the sweetest and most precious baby. She already has our whole family wrapped around her tiny little finger. We are so happy to finally have our baby Paisley here to make our family complete. We are so excited to watch her grow and become like her big sisters one day. Again, God blessed us with another wonderful daughter in our family.